CARSON CITY - In line with National College Savings Month, the Nevada state treasurer's office has worked with the Nevada College Savings Plan program manager to lower the required minimum amount to open an SSgA Upromise 529 college savings plan account from $250 to a mere $15, one of the lowest in the nation.
State Treasurer Kate Marshall said professional studies have determined that children who know they have a college savings account in their name are seven times more likely to attend an institution of higher learning.
She added, "It's important to note that the studies observed that the conclusions applied regardless of family income, ethnicity, or the educational attainment of the child's parents."
College debt has now surpassed credit card debt as the largest financial liability for American families. In fact, the average college debt per college graduate is more than $23,0003. Further, the average cost at a public four-year university has grown by more than 250 percent, while typical family income has risen only 16 percent.
"Couple that with studies that conclude that by 2020, 58 percent of jobs will require a career certificate or college degree -70 percent by 2030 - and the need for higher education is becoming more imperative that at any time in our nation's history," Marshall said. "A more educated workforce is also paramount in Nevada diversifying its economy."
The state treasurer's office also offers the Silver State Matching Grant Program, which helps Nevada families accelerate their college savings by providing up to $300 in matching grant funds each year, up to a total lifetime benefit of $1,500, to qualified participants in the SSgA Upromise 529 Plan.
In addition, the treasurer's office administers the Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program, which enables parents, grandparents, and other family members to lock in future college tuition rates at today's prices.
For more information about how to open an SSgA Upromise 529 Plan account, or about other college savings programs the treasurer's offers administers, go to NevadaTreasurer.gov.
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